Improvement in coal-cars



L. HETPIBLD.

Goal-Gar.

No. 217,286.` Patented July 8,1879.

w fg QM N,PETERS, PHOTO-HTHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, D C.

UNITED vSTI-mns PATENT Carien.

LEVI HETFIELD, OF PLAIN'FIELD, NEW JRSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN. COAL-CARS.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 217,286, dated July 8, 1879; application led March 5, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEVT HETFIELD, of Plainfield, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented an Improvement in Coal-Gars; and the following is declared to be a description of the sam'e.

Goal-cars as at present constructed are very objectionable, from the fact that in wintertime the coal carried in the same is exposed to the elements, and the snow or rain that falls upon them, whether they are stationary or in transit, very often freezes and causes the mass to become almost solid or immovable; and in order to remove the coal from the cars it has to be broken up by the use of crow-bar and pickax, and in so doing the cars are often injured. As made at present the deliverydoors in the bottom of the coal-cars are not easily opened, but often have to be pried open.

My invention is made with a view to overcoming these difficulties; and consists of a coal-car having hinged adjustable covers, that can be raised out of the way when the car is being lled, and when let down said cover `protects the coal and prevents rain or snow getting into the car.

My invention also relates to the deliverydoors at the bottom of the car.

In the drawings Ihave represented in Figure' Y 1 my improved car by a vertical section, showing one cover up and the other cover down in full lines and one cover down in dotted lines, and showing the delivery-doors closed in full lines and open in dotted lines 5 and Fig.2 is a plan of the same.

dles by which these covers can be raised and lowered, and I sometimes use a chain and pulley or an arm jointed and operated by a handle or wheel from a standard or frame placed on top ofthe car. These covers I have shown as made of wood covered with sheet metal. I do not limit myself to this, as I may use sheet metal or wood covered with so me roofing material. I also provide said covers e with a clasp, f, so that they can be securely fastened down during transit; and there are also battens or strips of metal on the top of the covers e at the sides of and projecting beyond the edge of the iiap of the cover next the ends of the car, as shown in the drawings by dotted lines at h', Fig. 1, so that when the covers are raised said strips will take a bearing upon the inclined 4sides of the car and hold the covers in place; and I provide upon the top of the covers c cleats or boards that will form a walk for brakemen or train-hands.

The delivery-doors g h are hinged at the sides to the body of the car, and made so that the door g laps over the door h,- and said doors are provided with bearing-strips t j, fastened thereto, and said strips come above the T end ofthe rodc and rest thereon, thereby preventing the doors from falling open until the rod c has been given a quarter-turn, when both doors open instantly by the weight of coal, and the delivery is made instantaneous and perfect.

I am aware that coal-cars have been made with delivery-doors in the bottom; but, in con sequence of their coming edge to edge, they are liable to swell and become jammed tight. By lapping the edge of one over the edge of the other this difficulty is prevented and the joint made close.

I am also aware that grain-cars have been made with hatches in the roof.

I am also aware that coal-cars have been made with covers that are hinged to the upper edges of the sides of the car, and turn outwardly and downwardly at the sides of the car. These, however, increase the width of the car when open and prevent easy access at -the sides thereof.

I claim as my invention- 1. The delivery-doors g h at the bottom of the coal-car, hinged at their outer edges and lapping one upon the other where they come together, in combintion with the T-euded rod' Signed byme this 28th day of February, A. c, upon which the doors are supported when D. 1879. closed, substantially as specified.

2. In a coal-cam, the sides b1,tl1at are in- LEVI HETFIELD. olined at their top edge, in combination with the bridge-piece b and the folding covers e, Witnesses: hinged together and to the bridge-piece, and JOHN H. VAN WINKLE, resting upon the top of the inclined sides b1, WALTER L. HETFIELD.

for the purposes and substantially as set forth. 

